Summit Edition 2009
IN THIS ISSUEEarly Childhood Summit Overview Speakers Focus on Economic Returns of Early Care and Education Family, Friend, and Neighbor Care: Pilot Program is Leading Edge Superintendents Share Four Districts' Early Education Efforts Kindergarten Transition Grant Opportunity Announced Commitment Card Results Report
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Talking Dollars and SenseExamining Early Childhood Programs’ Impressive Return on InvestmentThe research is in – proponents of high quality early care and education are adamant about the need for increased funding to support young children. They are spreading the word about the significant public return on investment that is realized for every dollar spent nurturing the very foundation of the future: young children. The 150 superintendents, preK-12 educators, early childhood specialists, and other community members who attended the fourth annual Early Childhood Summit on May 6th didn't need necessarily to be told of the importance of investing in young children. However, more and more economists, business people, and legislators are now being convinced, thanks to a growing body of research, of what those who work with children have long known. The long-term dividends to society in terms of reduced special education costs, increased literacy and graduation rates, crime reduction, higher household incomes, better physical and mental health, and a stronger tax base can be directly attributed to dollars wisely spent to support young children and adults who care for them. “More sectors of the community may be convinced of the wisdom of investing early in young children if they understand that it's a smart bottom-line decision,” said Lynn Haglin, Northland Foundation Vice President and KIDS PLUS Director. The Northland Foundation would like to thank Summit pariticipants and event sponsors for a productive, stimulating, and successful convening.
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Speakers Present Data Pointing to Economic Benefits
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Family, Friend, and Neighbor Care ShowcaseRegion's Pilot Program Reaches Out to "Informal" Child Care ProvidersThe Northland Foundation’s Northland Alliance for Family, Friend, and Neighbor Child Care Provider Outreach and Support Initiative (FFN) was one of six pilot programs funded by the Minnesota Department of Human Services in 2008. This regional initiative was designed to connect with and support “informal” child care providers such as grandparents and other relatives, friends, and neighbors who care for children ages 0-5. Molly Minkinnen, Ph.D., project evaluator for the initiative, Mary Lindgren, and Julie Bellehumeur presented Initiative highlights, findings, and insights on connecting with this often hard-to-reach group of individuals who provide care for up to 70 percent of Minnesota children. “It has been an eye-opener as to how many preschool children in this region are cared for by FFN providers, many of whom are not 'plugged in' to our system of early care and education services,” said Minkinnen. “If we want to connect with all children in our communities, FFN services must be on our agendas.” Julie Bellehumeur, a parent educator who provides project services through the Duluth Public Schools, shared information on the common strategies employed by the four partner sites: outreach, targeted trainings, special events called Play and Learns, and home visits. “The project has helped informal caregivers increase their knowledge and skills in relation to child development, first aid, early literacy, and social and emotional development. It has also helped build relationships and social connections among caregivers,” stated Bellehumeur. Mary Lindgren of the Carlton County Prenatal/Early Childhood Coalition shared some of the insights gained from this nearly 20 month pilot program. Among the successful components were Play and Learn events and networking opportunities for grandparents who care for grandchildren. Effective outreach strategies included personal invitations and promotion of events through a variety of community venues such as libraries. Word of mouth was often the best advertising for the program. Strategies were not one size fits all, noted Lindgren; each community found certain strategies worked better than others. Lindgren stressed the value the regional collaboration has had throughout the initiative. “Our partners were invaluable throughout the grant process – from writing the grant to programming to evaluation,” she said. |
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Superintendents Discuss Local Early Education EffortsBarnum, Esko, Lake Superior, and Virginia Districts RepresentedThe importance of investing in early care and education was echoed during the afternoon by a panel of superintendents from four northeastern Minnesota school districts. David Bottem of Barnum, Aaron Fischer of Esko, Phil Johnson from Virginia, and Phil Minkkinen from Lake Superior Schools sat in for a discussion facilitated by the Northland Foundation's Lynn Haglin. They touched upon the mounting research, especially in brain development, supporting early care and education investment and the necessity to understand how young children learn. Current funding for early care and education, however, is limited. The Minnesota Department of Education web site states an average of $227 per pupil is allocated to early childhood programs compared with $9,772 for K-12. Adopting an E-16 (early childhood through post-secondary) approach, with learning treated as a continuum from birth through career would eliminate competition for scarce resources. Despite limited resources, the panelists mentioned a number of innovative early care and education efforts underway in their districts through school and community partnership. It was also noted that co-location of early childhood and K-12 programs and transition activities are helping young children and families have a smooth transition to kindergarten. The importance of early childhood screening to identify health and learning concerns earlier so help can be provided sooner was also emphasized by the group. If money were not an issue, all four superintendents agreed that they would support access to high quality early care and education for all children with highly skilled professionals who are adequately compensated for their important work. |
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Kindergarten Transition Grant Opportunity AnnouncedEmphasis on Family, Friend, and Neighbor Care Provider ComponentThe Northland Foundation again announced that an opportunity to apply for $500 grants would be available to teams attending the Summit. The grants will be made to support kindergarten transition efforts. Applicants were encouraged to consider ways to include family, friend, and neighbor child care providers – and the preschool children in their care – in outreach for their kindergarten transition programming. Teams represented at the Summit must submit their application by June 15, 2009 to the Northland Foundation. For more information, contact Shari McCorison, a Northland Foundation Program Associate. |
Northland Notes is Digital: |
Moving to Action and Commitment Card TalliesBefore leaving the Summit, attendees were asked to check off actions they will commit to taking to promote early care and education. In all, 150 commitments were made. The break-out is shown in the following table. The Northland Foundation would like to thank all those who attended the 2009 Summit and will continue to work and speak on behalf of young children.
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© Northland Foundation 2009 |
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